Expungement

Expungements

On January 1, 2015, Minnesota’s new Expungement Law went into effect. Also widely known as Minnesota’s Second Chance Law. This law, compared to the old one, gives many people a second chance to clear their criminal records when they previously could not.

Under the new law, all Gross Misdemeanors and Misdemeanors have the potential to be expunged. There is also a list of Felony offenses that are eligible for expungement.

In all cases, the individual seeking to get their criminal record cleared (or expunged) must be crime free for a period of time after the sentence is complete — unless the case resulted in a dismissal or acquittal.

Importantly, even in cases where someone was not convicted of the crime charged, there are still records held by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) listing the charges. Ambrose Law Firm, PLLC has even seen cases where someone was never charged, or arrested for, a crime show up on a BCA background check, because they were merely being investigated for it.

Minnesota’s Second Chance Law is providing opportunities to people that were never possible before. If you, or someone you know, wishes to have their criminal history cleared, contact our office for a consultation at no charge.

Here is a link from the organization Council on Crime and Justice with helpful information about Minnesota’s new expungement law: click here